Change Lives

Friday, 27 February 2015

As you can see big Lenny the Rottweiler who arrived a few weeks ago is making friends. You may remember he was muzzled but had got it off en route so it hung like a medal around his neck. Once I got it off he looked so much more relaxed, and in David he has a new best mate!

Monday, 23 February 2015

We had a great day with our good friend Leigh from Essentials For Equilibrium on Friday, after she kindly donated her time and oils to some of our dogs. We have already seen what a worthwhile and enjoyable session working with oils can be for our dogs, and one in particular. However on Friday it was the turn of some of our other dogs to have fun in the sun, and the reaction from them was all so different, as was their self selection of oils!

As you can see from the photo's below Sally certainly had a good time.....

"I'm Not Sure About This....."

"Ah Go On Then......"

"I Like It!!!!!"

I know I speak on behalf of Rachel and Alison too, as well as the dogs, when I say a big thank you to Leigh for giving up her time as well as expertise, it was definately time well spent.

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

It's 6 years to the day today, since SHAK lost their first ever dog. Having set up the charity in the wake of me losing my own dog, the pain of doing all you could but that simply wasn't enough, was very raw then, and it still really hurts now.

Bruno was a brave big boy, who didn't let us know he was suffering till we couldn't help him. We've lost a lot since of course, but I'll never forget Bruno.....

Bruno came to us all the way from Southampton, looking for a new start due to no fault of his own. He had a history of a poorly stomach, but that was put down to a food allergy, and we tried to combat it with various specialist diets, although it turned out to be something a lot worse. On February 17th 2009 we had to give up the fight, and let him move on to a better place. Bruno gave us so many ups and downs in the time we had him. He was such a loving, yet grumpy big guy. I for one don’t regret trying to help him, and right to the end, he was a gentleman and a calming influence on the other dogs. Below is brief description of his illness, written by former volunteer Sharon Ness who was with him right to the end. Run free Bruno, God bless you.

“His blood tests showed a significantly low level of protein which the vets say was obvious given his emaciated state. The scan showed nothing and they felt an x ray would yield no valuable information as they could feel the whole of his intestines when examining him. Several of the vets reviewed him, his results and his history during the time they had cared for him. The consensus of opinion was that it was inflammatory bowel disease as debilitating as cancer, if not that then a diffuse lymphoma causing multiple small tumours throughout the bowel. Definite diagnosis would have required surgery to take biopsies but this was something that they felt was too much for him to cope with in his very poor state of health. Basically his immune system was attacking his own gut and causing an absorption problem and profuse diarrhoea. It would be untreatable and progressively worsening. The vets felt that they could not offer any interventions and the best thing for Bruno was to be put to sleep. The whole illness would have occurred regardless of where he was living and was not contributed to by "kennel stress". Bruno very quietly and peacefully was put to sleep 4pm this afternoon while I cradled his head and told him to go off and have a great run after some rabbits.......run free at Rainbow Bridge little man xxxxxx”

Monday, 16 February 2015

Pictures like this really make it all worthwhile, especially on a day when another two Lurchers arrive (one in a terrible state) desperate for help. Ruby and Sapphire needed a new home due to circumstances changing. Sisters and only one year old, we really hoped they would stay together.....

Sunday, 15 February 2015

Been spending a lot of time with this little lady lately, and despite her size I think it's fair to say she's a BIG character. Maddie is a typical Terrier, after being left to fend for herself in an abandoned flat, she has certainly learnt to look after herself.

I'm delighted to say that I collected Heidi from the vets yesterday after her operation and took her straight to her new foster home. As you can see from the picture below it was major surgery, and one that desperately needs nursed.

Step forward Gavin and Susie, who have offered a Heidi a place on their home and family and as you can see even the cats have taken to her.

Heidi is a dog very close to my heart having lived in the kennels at my home for nearly 5 months. Giving her up when she needed help the most was hard, but I know she's in a better environment. I'd like to say a big thank you to Gavin and Susie for giving her this opportunity. Two very special people who have got another very special dog.....

Saturday, 14 February 2015

Yesterday was the anniversaries of two very special SHAK boys that were taken from us far to early, Sonny and Vinnie. Both are often in our thoughts, and I know that not a day goes by without Melissa thinking of little Vinnie.

2 years on for Sonny and a year on for the little man. We all miss you.....

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Some sad news today, as Heidi has been into the vets to have an operation. You will remember Heidi came to us with a lump underneath, she also had a dramatic turn for the worst when she was felled by Vestibular Disease. This in turn put off any thoughts of surgery as we needed to make sure she was fully recovered from that first.I'm pleased to say she has stayed with us in the kennels at home where she made a full recovery.

The lump though didn't go away, and in the last ten days or so has grown. A trip to the vets last Wednesday confirmed my worst fears of mammary tumours and she was booked in today for a CT scan then potentially surgery.

The CT scan showed what I was dreading, several secondary tumours in her chest, but having been at the vets over night before her operation, Heidi had won hearts and shown how 'alive' she still is, this in mind they still wanted to operate. The large external tumour clearly is painful, and although removing it won't get rid of the cancer with it already spreading, it will make life more comfortable for however long she may have left with us. That's what we've decided to do.

Words can't described how low I feel right now for her. Heidi is such a sweetheart and has learnt to trust and love all over again. She has even started giving me kisses every time I bend down which is a far cry from the dog that was so nearly put to sleep before arriving with us as a freebie in another transport run. However, there is a positive. Fearing the worst I managed to source her a foster home to recover in after her operation, and I'm delighted to say despite today's developments, they still want to be there for her. Very special people for what is indeed a very special girl.....

Little Cheech has taken a long time to settle with us. Another young Staffordshire Bull Terrier that nobody wanted. He's wanted here though, and I love this picture I took of him on our walk today. I'd like to think he's looking ahead now, not over his shoulder.....

One thing I love about what we do is teaching old dogs new tricks. Barney had always struggled with the company of other dogs, but having spent time with Cooper and Layla recently he really enjoyed a walk in the sun with Sally on Saturday.

It is all so new for him, but he defiantly enjoyed the company of a lady, even if he was a little shy at first.....

You'll remember Ana when she first arrived with us in one hell of a state, well the bottom picture is her today in her home. An amazing turn around and once again shows our link up with other charities works.

IMPORTANT STATEMENT APRIL 2018

A Statement From SHAK.....

One of the drawbacks of gaining followers through Facebook, the press and other forms of media is the demand for our expertise is growing beyond a level that is manageable or even acceptable. We are a victim of our own success and with constantly running with around 70 dogs in our care, being such a small charity we are always stretched beyond our limit.

Therefore I think it is important for me to explain exactly where we get our dogs from and who we will deal with. For the past 12 years we have dealt very closely with vets taking destruction cases, local councils taking strays and a few recognised partnered charities that we have built up strong relationships with. Today this is still the case.

As I mentioned space and resources are very short resulting us being unable to take dogs from members of the public and due to time we are ubable to deal with the publuc in any way. Likewise we are not looking to extend our pool of partnered charities or organisations, so can not take dogs from groups we have never worked with before.

It is not out of ignorance, but due to concentrating our time on our own dogs that no unsolicited emails, phonecalls or Facebook messages will be returned.

Thank you for understanding and for all of your support.

Who We Are.....

Stephen Wylie and one of the SHAK dogs Donnie.

And What We Do.....

Celebrating its 10th anniversary on June 19th 2016, SHAK has come a long way since its founder Stephen Wylie uttered those fateful words ‘never again...’ after the shock death of his dog and best friend Shak.

The hundreds of dogs whose lives have been changed because of that loss is testament to a dog that had a lasting imprint on everyone he met.....

Today the registered charity has approximately 70 dogs inits care, offering sanctuary to the ones that really need it or a place to simply become a dog again for others.

Working only with destruction cases from vets, strays anddogs from our trusted charity partners, SHAK does not take in dogs from members of the public. Likewise we are not a rehoming centre, although we do offer the opportunity for people to apply for our Forever Foster project.

We concentrate all of our time, energy and resources directly into the well being of our dogs, enriching lives that others had written off.....

Keep Calm

Ways You Can Donate.....

We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Vodafone, and provide a simple and effective way of you to help us "Save Even More Dogs On Death Row."

Simply text SHAK01 £10 to 70070 to donate to Shak (Safe Homes And Kindness) and make a difference today. You can donate any amount upto £10 by simply changing the amount in the text, and the best thing is we get EVERY penny.

Thanks in advance for your support.

"It's A Dogs Life....."

A Blog page to show all the work that goes on behind the scenes at SHAK.

A brief insight into how our dogs get here, and what they do when they get here…..

(Please note, all opinions and views on here are exactly that, OUR opinions and views ony.)